She Who Was Severed (Book 1 of the Ashen Chain Trilogy): A Fantasy Romance

Freya Thorne failed her sacred trial at sixteen and faced exile and execution. Instead, an ancient power called the Ashen Chain awakened within her. She now carries a force that remembers every life it has taken and every ruin it has caused. The more she uses it, the less of herself remains, and losing control could make her a weapon of mass destruction. A man trained for obedience is bound to the throne and sworn to hunt threats to the realm. He should have executed Freya when she survived, but instead he is forced to guard her and remain close enough to kill her if the Chain takes control. They are meant to be enemies, yet they grow closer. His loyalty to his kingdom conflicts with his feelings for her, while her connection to him could give the Chain what it truly wants: the power to destroy through those she loves. The novel features enemies-to-lovers romance, slow-burn tension, morally grey characters, forced proximity, dragons, dark magic, and court politics. It contains on-page intimacy and brief sapphic scenes. Intended for adult readers.